ABSTRACT
Synthesis gas is widely used and can be converted into petrochemicals, higher alcohols, and synthetic fuels. Hydrogen is used in ammonia synthesis and petroleum refining industries, while carbon monoxide is widely used in the production of plastics, paints, foams, pesticides, and insecticides. The manufacture of synthesis gas was carried out by gasifying coke from coal at low temperatures with air and steam. In the 1990s, methane reforming is the predominant method of producing syngas, supplying more than 80% of the world’s synthesis gas. In many instances, methanol and ammonia plants are coupled to the same synthesis gas plant to utilize efficiently the energy produced from the reforming of natural gas. The water–gas shift reaction is least dependent on temperature as is evident from the equilibrium constant. Because of this, the water–gas shift reaction affects many commercial chemical processes including coal gasification and methanol synthesis. Higher pressures are used in ammonia synthesis plants to reduce compression costs before the ammonia reactor.
